Learning more

Info for schools and groups

We are always pleased to hear from schools and other groups who would like to know more about bees and beekeeping. We are fortunate in having several excellent speakers who are willing to give illustrated talks.

The Association has an observation hive, where the bees can be seen on their comb behind a glass panel, and a virtual hive, which realistically shows the inside of a full size hive using actual hive components and full size colour photographs.

If you would like us to attend a meeting or event in the Forest of Dean or surrounding area, please get in touch with our Secretary. Email: DFBKA Secretary

For teachers we can recommend the Bees4kids section of the BBKA web site, where you can find an explanation of the importance of bees, suggestions for teachers, and details of a Schools Pack available from the BBKA.

Meetings and conventions

Beekeepers have many opportunities to learn about the current and future issues which affect bees and beekeeping, and to share their experience.

Members of the Gloucestershire Beekeeping Association may attend the meetings of any of the seven branches. The web sites of the branches, where you will find details of their meetings, are listed on the GBKA web site.

Gloucestershire Association meetings are usually open to non-members, as are the meetings of most other beekeeping societies in the UK. To check, just ring the Secretary.

The Midland & South Western Counties Convention (MSWCC for short) organises a weekend beekeeping conference every September. All beekeepers are welcome. The conference is residential, but you can also attend for individual days as a day visitor.

Publications

BeeCraft is a monthly journal that aims to provide the latest beekeeping ideas and scientific research for both beginners and seasoned apiarists. A 12 month subscription costs £27 for paper copies, £16 for the digital version.

Apimondia
International co-ordination between national beekeeping societies is carried out by Apimondia. A world conference is organised every two years. Many of the papers presented at their conferences are available on their web site.

University of Sussex
Their Laboratory of Apiculture and Social Insects conducts significant research, including projects which make up the Sussex Plan for honeybee Health and Wellbeing, which Dean Forest Beekeepers have helped to fund.

The International Bee Research Association wasset up to increase people’s awareness of the vital role of bees in agriculture and the natural environment and to promote the study and conservation of bees. It is linked to Cardiff University and runs International conferences. It has a library service and produces publications such as ‘BeeWorld’.

By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. more information

The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.